To prep for the triathlon in May, I ran my first 5K today since my last triathlon in 2005 or 2006. It was the Mercer Island run so it was super hilly. I had to walk up one hill, but I felt great after the race. My time was 46 minutes, but time is not important to me. I just want to finish! My friend Amanda, on the other hand, did the 10K in 55 minutes!

I want to try to do one more race in April and then this triathlon in May. I might revise my end of the year goal to do a longer triathlon instead of a half marathon. I get a bit bored only running and my new bike is so sexy!!!

More bikes for Rachael and Charles

Something about living in the Netherlands must have ingrained Dutch bicycle culture in our minds because we felt the need to upgrade our from our Dutch bikes. My Dutch bike is in storage because it just doesn't cut it for the Seattle hills I would like to ride. It also has a basket. Charles has been riding his Dutch bike to work every now and then, but I fear for his ergonomic safety because that thing is not very sturdy. We did buy cheap Dutch bikes after all.

We attended a bike swap last week, but couldn't find anything with the right frame size. We also opted not to purchase anything from the Dutch Bicycle Company because it was just too authentically Dutch. They didn't even sell helmets! In the end, we got our bikes from Free Range Cycle in the Fremont neighborhood.

After lots of test rides, Charles for a Surly Long Haul Trucker in "truckacinno cream," They had a frame in his size in stock so they put it together that afternoon. I ended up getting a Surly Cross Check in black which they had to order. I also got a Brooks seat and Shimano dual function pedals. I also decided to sign up for a triathlon. in May because I have no excuse now that I have a good bike. Hopefully by next Saturday we'll both have our new bikes and will be ready to do a Seattle ride.